Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment at Chelsea on a two-year contract continues the strong managerial connection between the Blues and Tottenham.
The Argentinian becomes the fifth man to manage both clubs in the Premier League era and here, the PA news agency looks at the records of his predecessors.
Glenn Hoddle
Chelsea 1993-96: P157, W53 (33.7 per cent), D54, L50
Tottenham 2001-03: P104, W41 (38.3 per cent), D18, L45
The long-time Spurs midfielder finished his career as Chelsea player-manager for two seasons before a third solely in the dugout. His sides never finished higher than 11th in the league but reached an FA Cup final, losing 4-0 to Manchester United, and semi-final as well as a Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final.
After spells with England …
Gianluigi Buffon and Marc Wilmots have condemned the violence that has marred the opening days of Euro 2016.
The dormant spectre of hooliganism re-emerged as the tournament kicked off in France this week, with Marseille particularly badly affected, as Russian and English fans clashed before their teams 1-1 draw at Stade Velodrome on Saturday.
Other flash points have occurred elsewhere in the country, prompting Italy s veteran goalkeeper to speak out ahead of the Group E match against Belgium in Lyon.
Asked for his thoughts on the incidents, Buffon said: Deplorable, it tarnishes the competition and feeling of joy we should be experiencing.
The build-up the tournament wasn t necessarily easy with regards to the general security of everyone, he added, refer…
Lionel Messi remains in control of his 2026 World Cup destiny with fitness no issue due to the lesser demands of playing in MLS.
That was the message from former Argentina international Mario Kempes, who expects Lionel Scaloni s superstar attacker to be physically capable of featuring in FIFA s next tournament.
Doubts remain as to whether Messi will make it to the tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, where he will hope to play aged 39.
The former Barcelona star is already playing in the USA s domestic competition, though, and Kempes believes that could have a significant influence on him featuring at the World Cup.
I think Messi will arrive in good shape and fresh, because the MLS is not really very demanding, even though he dem…
Ashley Westwood says tactical flexibility has been the key to Charlotte FC s recent success, as they aim to continue their climb up the MLS standings against the Houston Dynamo.
Charlotte sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, nine points off leaders inter Miami, after taking 10 points from their last four matches.
Dean Smith s side claimed an impressive 2-0 road win over the Philadelphia Union last week, and Westwood feels the work the former Aston Villa boss has done on the training ground is really starting to pay off.
The most impressive thing has been the way we ve been able to change tactics and change things during games, Westwood said.
It just shows the lads have taken the work on board. They listen and are starting to know the roles of every in…
St. Louis City interim head coach John Hackworth says they will treat San Jose Earthquakes with respect as he is wary of their fighting spirit.
St. Louis sit 13th in the Western Conference, one place above Saturday s opponents, but are 10 points better off than San Jose on 28.
Their four-match unbeaten streak came to an end last weekend, as they failed to defend their early lead in a 3-1 defeat to Minnesota United.
Hackworth is still without an away win since stepping into the hot seat, and he expects a big challenge as he attempts to change that weekend.
[San Jose] have a lot of consistency, and I ve been really impressed by their spirit, Hackworth said.
They don t look like a team that should be last in the west right now. They have a lot of f…
Spain have been dealt a blow ahead of Euro 2012 with news that Barcelona s Carles Puyol will miss the tournament with a knee injury.
Puyol, 34, played 90 minutes in Barcelona s win over Espanyol at the weekend but complained of knee soreness.
Further tests on Monday revealed the central defender requires an operation.
After tests were conducted it was decided the player would have arthroscopic surgery on Saturday, Barcelona said in a statement.
The estimated time he will be out of action is around six weeks.
Puyol was a key member of Spain s winning sides at Euro 2008 and the World Cup two years ago.
He will also miss Barcelona s final league fixture against Real Betis and the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.
Spain f…
Tottenham suffered their first on-pitch setback of the Ange Postecoglou era after they exited the Carabao Cup in the second round at Fulham after Davinson Sanchez crucially had an effort saved in a 5-3 defeat on penalties.
Richarlison had opened his account for the season to cancel out a 19th-minute own-goal from Micky van de Ven, which had given the hosts a deserved half-time advantage despite being without boss Marco Silva, who was serving a touchline ban.
No further goals were forthcoming and the 1-1 scoreline at 90 minutes meant spot-kicks were required and after five successful penalties a low effort from Sanchez which was saved by Marek Rodak proved the difference.
Marek you beauty!!!
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC)
Kenny Tete fired F…
With the summer transfer window slamming shut on Friday night, we are treated to another stacked Premier League schedule this weekend.
Watching both Manchester City and Arsenal steal centre stage throughout Saturday, we have seven top-flight showdowns on the cards.
Ahead of what should be a frantic afternoon of Premier League action, we have taken a look at some of the most intriguing top-flight betting markets.
Saturday, August 31st
BST 12:30 Arsenal vs Brighton
Eventually falling short once again last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since back in 2004, Arsenal are desperate to go one-step further this time around. Putting in what was a hugely impressive performance last weekend as they secur…
Brazil qualified for the 2022 World Cup after Lucas Paqueta s second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over Colombia.
Tite s Brazil knew a win on Thursday would book their spot at Qatar 2022 and the Selecao claimed the result they needed in hard-fought fashion on home soil.
Paqueta and Neymar combined for the decisive goal in the 72nd minute as CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying leaders Brazil stayed unbeaten through 12 rounds.
Brazil entered the contest having never lost a game against Colombia in all their previous 13 meetings in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying (W6 D7). However, the Selecao had only won one of their last six games in this fixture.
3 Half the goals Lucas Paquetá has scored for Brazil (3/6) were assisted by Neymar. French.
— OptaJoa…
In what was a nail-biting Champions League showdown on Wednesday night, Bayern Munich clinched their semi-final ticket as they secured a 1-0 victory against Arsenal at the Allianz.
With the German giants putting in a gritty performance in north London last week as they claimed a first-leg 2-2 stalemate, it was midfield talisman Joshua Kimmich who proved to be Bayern’s hero here.
Watching the Germany international produce a thunderous header in the 63rd-minute, Wednesday’s hosts will now turn their attention to a heavyweight semi-final battle against Real Madrid.
Despite being unable to call upon the likes of Serge Gantry and Kingsley Coman here, Bayern cashed in on an Arsenal squad who failed to find any real fluidity away from the Emirates.
Missing …